The darker winter nights are drawing in and we’re all making adjustments to accommodate the dwindling daylight. But have you ever stopped to think about how these changes may also be affecting your anxious dog?
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Modern-day life is can be just as stressful and anxiety-ridden for dogs as it can be for us humans and this can result in some behaviour problems including fears, phobias and general nervousness. Moving house, new people and animals joining the family home and noisy events such as fireworks can all add to the stress.
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YuCALM DOG
Lintbells has launched YuCALM Dog (now called YuMOVE) that can be given short term to combat a specific trigger event – such as holiday travel or during firework season – or for as long as it is needed by dogs with nervous or fearful temperaments or more long-standing problems.
Its unique formula of scientifically proven natural ingredients includes L-Theanine which supports the production of calming compounds in the brain. One of those calmers is dopamine – the ‘feel-good’ chemical messenger involved in the pathways controlling reward and pleasure. Lemon Balm has an effect on GABA levels which exerts a calming effect by dampening down some of the signals travelling through the brain. High-quality fish protein is also used to support brain function, as well as also acting on GABA and dopamine levels.
Where To Get Help With Anxious Dogs
Lintbells vet James Howie says there are ways to reduce the stress of fireworks season and other fearful events, “The first thing to understand is that noise phobias don’t get better with time – in fact in most cases the fearful reaction will become worse year on year.”
James advises pet owners to seek help from accredited pet behaviourists or vets, “There are techniques that can be used to help support your dog through fireworks season Using supplements and other aids can keep dogs relaxed enough to accept these techniques without feeling too anxious. It’s vital to involve the experts to make sure you help your dog learn new habits that will stick and that you lower anxiety effectively.”
What Can You Do To Help Calm Your Anxious Dogs?
- Provide a safe, quiet area, preferably covered, that your dog can retreat to when they feel anxious. You could use play tents, pet beds, a sheltered corner of a room, or even a large cardboard box with a blanket and favourite toy inside. Dogs like to go somewhere where they can curl up and feel secure during times of stress.
- If your dog shows signs of being fearful or anxious act calmly and normally. Overcompensating and providing too much fuss can reinforce the idea that there is something to be afraid of.
- Keep your dog’s environment safe. Some dogs can become destructive when stressed so remove items that could harm your dog and watch for changes in their behaviour.
- Think about how your house sounds and feels to your dog when left alone especially as the nights draw in and the smells change. A radio or TV can help mask unknown external noises such as fireworks. Draw the curtains or blinds and if necessary find additional fabric to cover windows to muffle noise and flashes of light
- Try and take your dog for a long walk during the day or early evening and plan toilet trips before it gets dark so they are more likely to rest or sleep afterwards. Plan toilet trips before it gets dark and any fireworks are let off. If you find you do have to go out, ensure your dog has identification such as a registered microchip and a collar with a disc including your contact details.
- Try not to leave your dog alone at night if at all possible. Many dogs suffer from some form of separation anxiety when their owners are absent.
- Ask your vet or certified animal behaviourist for advice. See if they can recommend any long-term training that can include desensitisation (helping your dog to become accustomed to triggers over time by slowly building up their exposure) and counter-conditioning (helping your dog to start associating a fearful event with positives rather than negatives).
- Think about using a supplement such as YuCALM Dog or other aid to help your dog feel calm and relaxed.
Remember, a calm and relaxed dog is likely to be more receptive to other training-based interventions that allow further improvements.
YuCALM Dog can be bought in veterinary practices, pet shops and online retailers. For further information visit Lintbells or call 01462 416866 to talk to an experienced member of the Lintbells team.
lots of hugs and talking
Lots of huds and belly rubs
My chihuahua sits beside me on the sofa. At the moment, whilst there are firworks going off, I keep the curtain shut, the tv on and I play games with her to distract her from the bangs.
We use a thundershirt, and a plug in calming thing and some advice from the vet. Not convinced that either are working, but the separation anxiety is not good so trying all sorts.
My boy likes to sit on the sofa next to me
lots of love cuddles hugs and food x
Get him to cuddle into me with usually a little treat as well
Nothing really seems to help during fireworks. Only sitting on my lap does he feel safe.
My dog is very anxious and we play calming music and dress her in a Thundershirt to try to calm her.
Cuddles, telly on a bit louder, and treats!x
play quit music
Lots of cuddles
I give them a nice cuddle and tummy tickle.x
Give her tons of love, and reasurance, although i do try and normalise the situation.
Cuddles on the sofa xx
cuddle them.
sofa cuddles
Its only really fireworks that stress my dogs so I give them lots of fuss
hugs
we have cuddles
Lots of cuddle and a little treat.
we just sit with him, and comfort him, as long as he knows we are there.
Lots of cuddles. My labrador was terrified of the fireworks last weekend.
I play with his toys and he soon joins in!
My dogs hate fireworks and bark like mad at them. The only thing that works for us is to play music whilst they are going off. It’s no fun 🙁
Lots of hugs
Hugs – she is still a stressy little thing though!
Sit with them quietly, and keep them close.
Lots of cuddles
my dog loves his favourite blanket and lots of hugs.x
Treats galore.
Talking to them softly
cuddles and calm voices
I give my dogs reassurance and fuss if they want it and play games to take their minds of what is stressing them. At the moment it is the fireworks. One of my dogs reacts so badly to thunderstorms that I had to put his bed in the bathroom as it was the only room without windows and was quieter, he calmed down a lot after that.
My parents dog loves to have the tv or music on but he’s good if there is company in the home.
Our dog is pretty calm but we just tell him he’s good and give him reassurance or use distraction methods. xx
I do wish fireworks didn’t go on all times of the year – not only does it scare pets but wild animals too.
I don’t have a dog myself but I look after one sometimes, I get so upset when he gets anxious! These tips are great, and will definitely use some of them next time he’s over!
Aw I wish I had read this before bonfire night as the fireworks around here were crazy! xxx
This sounds like a super product for those dogs that go berserk during fireworks season. I don’t own a dog but my FB feed is filled with posts from worried owners – I’ll have to tell them about this product!
I don’t have pets because I’m not at home enough but it must be tough for animals who can’t quite communicate their anxieties x
My dog used to hate fireworks but giving him a treat and a cuddle on the sofa seemed to calm him x
Great tips for those with dogs and a great competition for them too. I don’t have a dog but I bet fireworks can be scary, they scare me x
Lots of cuddles and wrapping him up in blankets
I’m not even a dog person and these pictures have melted my heart. I’ve found it so distressing to hear how many dogs got upset at Bonfire Night this year.
Some great tips. It can be horrible to see a dog being so anxious and distressed
To calm my stressy dog I will cover her crate, and distract her with food! Usually a frozen stuffed Kong 🙂 As long as I get there in time that works a treat, she’s so food orientated things have to get bad before she won’t eat.
What a lovely post. I enjoyed reading all the tips and also the other comments that people have added with their own suggestions! I feel for the dogs at Fireworks night, I hate it too!!
Never heard of these before would love too win especially coming up too new years Eve x
I wrap my dog up in a blanket to make her feel safe.
This is so helpful. I often look after a friends dog who is quite anxious and I don’t always know how to calm him down.
We pop a blanket on her and put the radio on to calm her down
if its the fireworks we put the tv on loud and let them cuddle on sofa with us they soon settle
I give my chug Arthur a big cuddle and reassure him telling him it’s ok
Lots of talking with them.
Hold them tight as I would a child
Talk to them an stroke them to try and soothe them
Distraction techniques
lots of hugs and talking
We do so many different things…my boxer boy has major anxiety. His favorite thing (other than sitting in my lap!) is being in his kennel with his peanut butter kong and a blankie over it.
Try to have someone with him to cuddle and stroke him.
wrap him up in a blanket and talk soothingly!
Talk to him, distract him and love him!
Talk to him and stroke him
CUDDLE AND HUGS
My dogs safe space is his cage, he always goes in there when there’s fireworks etc.
We’ve just adopted a beagle who was rescued from a puppy farm. She’s spent her whole life isolated in filthy conditions, just being used to produce litter after litter of puppies, so everything is new to her and she’s understandably very nervous. We are giving her lots of reassurance and praise and gradually getting her used to things. Treats help her to gain her confidence around things she’s scared of – for example she’s terrified of wind and rain as she’s never experienced it before, so if she goes outside for a few seconds she gets a treat and we’ll gradually build up the time. It will take a lot of patience, but she’s progressing really well and is such a sweetheart. Two weeks ago she hated being touched and was frightened of toys – now she loves cuddles and is learning to play. Our two other dogs really help give her confidence too.
Unfortunately Loki suffers from bad dreams a lot, I think due to some trauma before I adopted him (he’s also terrified of noises like the kitchen extract) I find that the best thing is to sit with him and talk in a calm soothing voice while stroking the spot between his forehead and eyes helps. For the extract type noises however I keep my voice normal because I want him to realise there’s nothing to be afraid of, usually I will give him a treat for staying in the room (bacon is his fav) because I know he finds it tough.
Cuddle and attention always works for us
I play loud soothing music, comfort him and give him a cardboard box to rip up – somehow that works
A soothing voice and food treats
Cuddles, or take out to distract!
I use rescue remedy. I put it in her water
Try to distract them with treats or rag toy
Try and distract them, talking to them and playing music and lots of snuggles
treats and cuddles
Take them for a run in the van.
I give them a big hug and talk to them.
I give our lab a cuddle and putting music on tends to help too x
nothing seems to help them to quell their fears – maybe these tablets would help xx
I usually distract her with toys.
give him cuddles
I bring my duvet downstairs for her to burrow under.
My boy likes to sit next to me on the sofa.
Treats and Cuddles 🙂
my 8 yr old son does the calming they are best friends go every where together when my son started nursery roxy our dog sat by the door crying i struggled to settle her i kept telling her he would come home it took over a year to settle my son is the only person who can calm and settle her
cuddles, if it’s a sensory based anxiety a quiet room can work too
Stroke him and use calm tone of voice.
Our dog comes and cuddles up on the settee when she gets scared xx
cuddles
We’ve taken on a rescue dog and he is our first dog so everything is a massive learning curve. I’ve been reading the comments on here and getting some useful tips. Our dog is fine with fireworks thankfully but he gets major anxiety being left on his own. We’ve learnt that the best thing to calm him down is to talk to him and to let him know you’re in the room with him or near by.
Cuddles and have a calming collar